Deadly Fire at CFB Wainwright Started in Automatic Grenade Launcher Range, Military Officials Say
The grass fire that killed four soldiers and injured 39 at CFB Wainwright on Oct. 17 began during routine military training on an automatic grenade launcher range before spreading to another range, military officials say. Brig.-Gen. Vanessa Hanrahan, the Canadian Armed Forces provost marshal, said during a news conference in Edmonton on Oct. 22 that as investigations continue, official would examine decisions made by commanders after the fire started and how personnel responded as it spread. Investigators will also look into whether changes in wind direction were communicated to soldiers training on the other range, she said. “It would be inappropriate for me to speculate now about all of those decisions and any of the other aspects of the investigation,” she said. “Once the investigative team has time to review all the evidence … I’ll be in a better position to provide accurate information as to the outcome of that investigation.”
A grass fire at CFB Wainwright, which claimed the lives of four soldiers and injured 39, began during routine training on an automatic grenade launcher range. Military officials are investigating command decisions and personnel responses, as well as the communication of wind direction changes, as the fire spread. The full outcome of the investigation will be provided once all evidence is reviewed.
- A grass fire at CFB Wainwright resulted in four soldier deaths and 39 injuries.
- The fire started during routine military training on an automatic grenade launcher range.
- It subsequently spread to another training range.
- Military investigations will examine commander decisions and personnel responses.
- The investigation will also assess whether wind direction changes were communicated to soldiers.
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